Los Medanos Community Healthcare District Board of Directors kick off Community Reception in Support of "Living Well, Living Long".

The theme " I am community, We are Community" created an atmosphere of networking with elected officials, community organizations and residents. Bobbi Palmer CEO of LMCHD stated, "This annual event is something the community looks forward to each year. It's a big thank you, to all who work so passionately each and every day, insuring our residents have access to health care."

Mayor Peter Longmire of Pittsburg congratulated the Los Medanos Community Healthcare District Board of Directors for the fine work they've collectively accomplished in providing health care services to its residents. Also in attendance was City Council Member Meryl Craft who echoed the gratitude of LMCHD's commitment to the City of Pittsburg.

Supervisor Federal Glover's office presented a certificate of recognition in which good health would flourish for all District residents. LMCHD believes that in order to live well and live long, we need to provide health services to all residents while paying special attention to at-risk populations for health disparities.

Assembly member Susan Bonilla's office also presented a certificate of recognition at the community reception as well. Los Medanos Community Healthcare District recognizes that living well incorporates a multitude of factors, such as eating well, exercising, having clean air to breathe, and a support network of family and friends.

About the Los Medanos Community Healthcare District:
Created by state legislation and launched by voter approval in 1948, Los Medanos Community Healthcare District serves the communities of Pittsburg, Bay Point, Clyde, Clayton and unincorporated Antioch.

Los Medanos Community Healthcare District is cultivating a community in which good health may flourish by providing community- based District funded health services.

Los Medanos Community Healthcare District takes the lead to urge legislators to make diabetes a priority by supporting A.B. 572

A.B. 572 require the California Department of Public Health to submit a Diabetes Action Plan to more effectively battle diabetes.

Diabetes is a growing epidemic in California. Over 3.8 million Californians have diabetes and another nearly 11 million people have pre diabetes. With the epidemic growing, the yearly cost of diabetes in our state is around $37.1 billion.
The

Diabetes Action Plan bill is vital because it will make sure state policy makers have the best information available to assess the burden of diabetes, and make the best policy recommendations to stop thus deadly and sometimes silent disease. Some of the devastating complications include heart attacks, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, and lower limb amputation.

Please join Los Medanos Community Healthcare District and the American Diabetes Association and lend your support to the Diabetes Action Plan bill by contacting your legislator. Your state Representative is James "Jim" L. Frazier.

Created by state legislation and launched by voter approval in 1948. Los Medanos Community Healthcare District serves the communities of Pittsburg, Bay Point, Clyde, Clayton and unincorporated Antioch. Los Medanos Community Healthcare District is cultivating a community in which good health may flourish by providing community- based, District funded healthcare services to its residents.

Did you see what the Contra Costa Times said about the Affordable Care Act this weekend in an editorial?

"In California, Obamacare is already working."

As you have probably heard, there's a new, simple online marketplace to shop for health insurance. In California, families who are uninsured or those who are self-insured and paying too much for their premiums can visit www.CoveredCa.com to compare familiar health plans side-by-side, see if they qualify for discounts, and purchase coverage that fits their budget and their lifestyle.

Open enrollment starts October 1st, no matter if the federal government is open or closed.

This is just the latest in encouraging developments benefiting Californians. But don't just take my word for it, the Times' editorial that ran over the weekend -- side-by-side with an opinion piece I authored with State Senator DeSaulnier--declared,

"And so far, it's going better than expected...

"Today, thanks to Obamacare, more than 1 million formerly uninsured Californians have coverage, and 400,000 younger than 26 have protection through their parents' insurance. Californians can no longer be denied coverage because of a pre-existing medical condition. Medical costs are dropping and premium costs for the state health insurance exchange, while the 10th highest in the country, are significantly lower than anticipated...

"The nearly four out of five Californians who have health insurance through their employers or through Medicare will not be affected by the Affordable Care Act and do not have to do anything when sign-up begins Tuesday. But the 20 percent who were uninsured should sign up for it and they will see benefits that will, over time, lower health care costs and improve medical outcomes for all."

Doesn't sound like we should shut the government down over something as helpful to everyday Californians as this, does it?

To learn more about the Affordable Care Act and how it affects you, or to get covered, visit my website or go to www.CoveredCA.com today.

PITTSBURG, Calif., Sept. 19, 2013 – Last week, Los Medanos Community Healthcare District (LMCHD) received a 2013 Exceptional Public Outreach & Advocacy Award from the California Special District Association for its summer internship program, which allows youth to engage and benefit the local community.

Over the last four years, LMCHD has hosted young adults transitioning from foster care to independent living in their summer internship program. The program is designed to provide youth with a unique work experience and to create an environment for youth to work on a team-based, grassroots community outreach project. The internship's mission is to bring public awareness to a public health issue and to introduce youth to healthcare professions.

This year's interns organized a public outreach presentation related to environmental justice by researching and developing a campaign targeting air pollutants affecting their community. During the course of 60 hours throughout the summer, they analyzed data and then composed and distributed a survey regarding the quality of air in Pittsburg, Calif.

Using their research and focusing on public policy, the interns presented their findings to the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors, Pittsburg City Council and the African American Health Empowerment Collaborative, with representatives from the Contra Costa Public Health Department, Contra Costa Workforce Development Board, LMCHD Board of Directors and Assembly Member Jim Frazier in Sacramento.

"The Board of Directors is proud to host this internship program and glad that youth can conduct needed outreach to the community," said Bobbi Palmer, CEO of Los Medanos Community Healthcare District. "Congratulations to this year's interns – Mariana, Da'Jon, Kathryn, Nakia, Johneshia, Erica and Elena."

"Inspire by Example" was this year's program theme and the interns named themselves, "Pollution Busters."

Palmer accepted the award on behalf of the passionate work the interns accomplished. Several of the interns started their freshmen year at Los Medanos Community College and will be honored at LMCHD's next Board of Directors Meeting, slated for Oct. 14.

Press release

Los Medanos Community Healthcare District awards $189,290 in Grant Funding to 17 organizations serving Pittsburg and Bay Point residents.

Los Medanos Community Healthcare District committed to "Cultivating a community in which good health flourishes for all District residents."

At the District's monthly board meeting held on Monday November 5th, 2012, grants were awarded to 17 organizations in accordance with the District's mission and strategic plan.

The following organizations received funding: First Baptist Head Start Children and Families, Greater Faith Food Pantry, Contra Costa Regional Health Foundation, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, Stoneman Village Dinner Meal Program, Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa-Feeding the Hungry of Pittsburg, STAND! For Families Free of Violence-Pittsburg Health Center Domestic Violence Services, East County Midnight Basketball League Program-Building a Healthier New You, Lions Blind Center of Diablo Valley, East County Boys and Girls Club-Sports and Health After School Program, Community Care Center dba STS Academy-After School Sports and Fitness Program, Bay Point Garden Club, Save our Youth Fitness For Life (SOYFFL)- After School Youth Fitness/ Track and Field Program, Meals on Wheels & Senior Outreach Services-SOS Rides, Contra Costa Health Services, Community Wellness & Prevention Program-Let's Move Pittsburg!, Delta Memorial Hospital Foundation Continuum of Care for Adults with Diabetes and East County Kids N Motion.

ACHD is pleased to report that AB 2180 (Alejo) was pulled, at the request of the Author, from the Senate Governance & Finance Committee agenda for today. The Author has not requested to reset the bill. Our hard work, in concert with the coalition efforts of the California Hospital Association (CHA), District Hospital Leadership Forum (DHLF) & the California Special Districts Association (CSDA), gained significant traction with Committee members.

Senator Wolk (D-Davis), Committee Chair, and Senator Hernandez (D-Los Angeles), Health Committee Chair expressed major policy concerns with the bill, and the consistent Republican opposition provided us with the necessary votes to stop the bill.

Thank you for your letters, phone calls and emails on this bill. Your opposition was a critical contribution to defeating this harmful legislation.

While this bill will not be heard today, the bill still is alive until July 6, the second house policy committee deadline. The author has one more opportunity to present AB 2180 for consideration. Due to the tight scheduling constraints based on the double referral of the bill, we do not anticipate this will occur. The Advocacy staff will continue to monitor this bill and keep you apprised of any new developments.

Announcement: The Association of California Healthcare Districts (ACHD ) has recognized Los Medanos Community Healthcare District serving residents of Pittsburg, Bay Point, Clyde, Clayton and unincorporated Antioch at their recent annual conference held at Incline Village Lake Tahoe. LMCHD was honored as Wall of Fame and award nominee. Those in attendance were CEO Bobbi Palmer and Board of Directors Eva Vera and Linda Strong.

Announcement: The LMCHD Board of Directors at a Special Meeting on February 27, 2012, selected Bank of the West to provide its local banking services.

Press Release: LMCHD adopts Statement of Director Duties

At the January 10, 2011 meeting of the Board of Directors of the Los Medanos Community Healthcare District, the Board adopted a Statement of Director Duties and Responsibilities that requires the directors to demonstrate the highest standards of integrity and honesty in all public matters. The Statement of Director Duties recognizes the directors’ duty to act in the best interests of the District regardless of their personal attitudes or political point of view. The directors agreed that unprofessional or disruptive behavior by directors in public meetings is never in the best interest of the District.

While not enforceable in court, the Statement of Director Duties and Responsibilities represents the formal agreement of the directors to be prepared for all meetings, remain informed, share accurate and important information with the Board, and assure quality leadership for the District. A representative of the District reported that health care districts throughout California are adopting similar resolutions in response to a public demand for more accountability and transparency in local government entities. Copies of the Resolution adopting the Statement of Director Duties and responsibilities can be obtained from the Los Medanos Community Healthcare District or from the link below.